[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27497-27499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9390]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28160; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-006-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and 757-300 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 757-200 and 757-300 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require installing a copper bonding jumper between a 
ground and the clamp on the tube of the forward and aft gray water 
composite drain masts. This proposed AD results from a report of 
charred insulation blankets and burned wires around the forward gray 
water composite drain mast found during an inspection of the forward 
cargo compartment on a Model 767-300F airplane. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent a fire near a composite drain mast and possible 
disruption of the electrical power system due to a lightning strike on 
a composite drain mast, which could result in the loss of several 
functions essential for safe flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this 
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Webber, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6451; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
28160; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-006-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD.

[[Page 27498]]

Using the search function of that web site, anyone can find and read 
the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the 
individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that, during an inspection of 
the forward cargo compartment on a Model 767-300F airplane, an operator 
found charred insulation blankets and burned wires around the forward 
gray water composite drain mast. Additional charring on the insulation 
blankets was noticed several feet away along the routing of the drain 
mast's ground wire and power wires. Analysis of the damaged parts 
revealed that a lightning strike on the composite drain mast caused the 
damage to the wires and insulation blankets. This condition, if not 
corrected, could cause disruption of electrical power and fire and heat 
damage to equipment in the event of a lightning strike on the composite 
drain mast, which could result in the loss of several functions 
essential for safe flight.
    A design review of the gray water composite drain mast installation 
on Model 737NG, 757, 767, and 777 airplanes revealed that the 
installation of a heavier bonding jumper is necessary to provide 
adequate lightning protection to the gray water composite drain mast 
installation. The subject area on Model 757 airplanes is almost 
identical to that on the affected Model 767-300F airplane. Therefore, 
Model 757 airplanes may be subject to the unsafe condition revealed on 
the Model 767-300F airplane. We are currently considering additional 
rulemaking to address the identified unsafe condition on Model 737NG, 
767, and 777 airplanes.

 Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-30-
0024, dated July 24, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures 
for installing a 135-ampere copper bonding jumper between a ground and 
the clamp on the tube of the forward and aft gray water composite drain 
masts.
    Above the waste-water access panel, the installation includes:
     Replacing the existing ground bracket with a new ground 
bracket;
     Installing a bonding jumper between the ground bracket and 
the clamp on the tube of the forward gray water composite drain mast;
     Doing a drain mast installation test; and
     Measuring the resistance of the bonding jumper 
installation.
    In the bulk cargo compartment, the installation includes:
     Installing a new ground bracket;
     Installing a bonding jumper between the ground bracket and 
the clamp on the tube of the aft gray water composite drain mast;
     Doing a drain mast installation test; and
     Measuring the resistance of the bonding jumper 
installation.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 83 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                          Number of U.S.-
                  Action                      Work hours     Average labor              Parts                Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                             rate per hour                                   airplane        airplanes
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Bonding jumper installation...............               2             $80  $353, per kit (1 kit per                $866              59         $51,094
                                                                             drain mast).
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

[[Page 27499]]

    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2007-28160; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
006-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 2, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200 and 757-300 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-30-0024, dated July 24, 2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of charred insulation blankets 
and burned wires around the forward gray water composite drain mast 
found during an inspection of the forward cargo compartment on a 
Model 767-300F airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fire 
near a composite drain mast and possible disruption of the 
electrical power system due to a lightning strike on a composite 
drain mast, which could result in the loss of several functions 
essential for safe flight.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Bonding Jumper Installation

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Install a 135-ampere copper bonding jumper between a ground and the 
clamp on the tube of the forward and aft gray water composite drain 
mast, in accordance with the Accomplishment instructions of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-30-0024, dated July 24, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 7, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-9390 Filed 5-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P